I’m telling you, the food at Trader Joe’s is lovely and if you have never popped into one of their stores, the next time you’re in need of a ready to make meal and you feel like treating yourself stop by. We have tried a lot of their products over the past few weeks and have really only come across one item we didn’t like.
This spelt risotto. None of us liked it and I suppose I could have gone outside and gathered up some chewy bark and severed it for dinner instead of spending money on this product because honestly, that’s what it tasted like. Blech.
Their spinach and feta pizza though…. That was pretty tasty.
Costco $33.73
I wasn’t planning on stopping by Costco for anything but Mrs. HB and I decided to go so I could buy some new undergarments and we both ended up going home with some vittles. Although the HH and The Girl liked the Shepard’s pie, I was not impressed. It’s made with ground beef {I prefer making it with chunks of leftover pot roast} and the vegetables were pretty small. I don’t know what it is about those teeny tiny cubed carrot bits but I’m not a fan.
Birthday dinner at Maggiano’s restaurant with the parental unit. We’ve been going there for family dinners for years… {maybe 15?} and the food is always amazing. We typically order “family style” which includes an appetizer, salad, 2 pasta dishes, 2 meat dishes and 2 desserts. The sheer amount of food you get is insane and the leftovers alone could feed you for a week.
With the family style option there are so many choices, everyone is able to get something they want. The Girl typically orders salmon, Monkey Boy the pasta and giant meatball, my Dad the lasagna, Mom the Caesar salad, the HH loves the fried zucchini and it wouldn’t be a complete meal there without the bruschetta! Can you tell I we love the place?
We were there to celebrate our birthdays. My Mom loves her scarves {and takes hers off before eating!} just as munch as Mrs. HB does!! And yes, that is hot pink streak in her hair. 😉
The leftovers. Seriously, I told you they were crazy. The goal now is to consume everything we brought home from Maggiano’s {half of what is pictured above} along with the Costco meatloaf and an assortment of Trader Joe’s products still in the fridge/freezer before we leave. I think we can do it without spending another penny on groceries until we get to the east coat.
45th Birthday present from the HH. Obviously purchased at Fred Meyer on his way home from work. Some people get jewelry. I get Junior Mints. If you’ve been around a while then you know his shopping skills are rather eclectic. Proof HERE HERE and HERE.
And those adorable scrub brushes!!! A big thanks to everyone who chimed in. I was able to stop by IKEA at pick up a bunch for $1.49 each. Blue for mom and lime green for myself. Wahooo.
I hope your Monday rocks,
~Mavis
How about YOU? Have you tried the Costco Shepard’s Pie? Did you like it? Curious minds want to know.
- Total Spent This Week on Groceries $33.73
- Total Spent in February on Groceries $259.81
- Total Spent in January on Groceries $240.15
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
Sharon says
If you like Indian food, you need to try Trader Joe’s masala. I get the vegan masala (I’m vegetarian), and it is amazing. I’ve brought it to dinner for my mom and aunts (who aren’t vegetarian), and they loved it too. Get the frozen garlic nan to go with it. Yum! I just wish it came in a larger container (although it does stop me from eating at least twice, if not three times as much as I would if I could).
Marcia says
my family goes crazy for the frozen garlic naan. I miss it so much now that I can’t eat wheat!
livingrichonthecheap says
Well darn, now I want an IKEA scrubby brush..it’s unusual for me to want anything retail lol (I am a thrift store shopper) but anything that makes cleaning easier is tops in my books.
Mavis Butterfield says
It’s lovely. You must find one.
Sue R. says
I don’t quite get the scrubbing brush…. Do you stick it upright on the counter by the sink when you are done–doesn’t it drip?? Or do you stick it in the sink–doesn’t it get in the way? Curious minds want to know (isn’t that your line?). Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
I plan on sticking mine at the bottom of the sink in the corner. 🙂
Teri says
Happy Birthday Mavis! Appreciate your blog and all you do for us!
Ame says
Good to know the Shepard’s pie is made with beef and not lamb. I can’t stand lamb. I’ll give it a try.
TJ’s orange chicken is the best! All white meat is my favorite.
HB!
Diane says
I haven’t had the Shepard’s pie from Costco yet. I have had their Chicken Pot pie and it had lovely chucks of their rotisserie chicken in it! It looks about the same size as the Shepard’s pie, so you can really feed a crowd with it!
Andrea says
They were actually sampling the shepherds pie at Costco last weekend and I wasn’t impressed, so we actually made our own from scratch using the America’s Test Kitchen recipe. So tasty!
Rita says
Is that scrub brush for washing dishes or what? Is it better than a sponge? Way cheaper at IKEA than Amazon. Too bad they don’t offer mail order though.
Sarah says
I’m jealous of your shopping options. I live in super rural east coast and we have none of the stores that you mentioned, unless I want to drive a couple miles away.
Marcia says
Couple miles or couple of hours?
I grew up in rural east coast (PA), and it’s a couple of hours to Trader Joe’s or Costco.
Julie says
I love useful gifts! Though, I do prefer new towels cooking utensils, or sheets to food (unless it’s dinner out). My best funny husband gift: opal earrings. I am NOT a “fine” jewelry person by any means (been wearing the exact same pairs of hoop earrings daily for the past 7 years now), but I do admire opal stones. So, for my birthday one year, hubby bought me a pair of inexpensive, but cute, little opal and CZ yellow gold-set earrings. And, for Christmas…he bought the exact same, setting and style, opal and CZ yellow gold-set earrings.
I own two identical sets of these little things. Good thing I have double-pierced ears 😉
Runner-up is the year he bought me a stove vent for our anniversary. How…romantic?
I asked for sensible, I got it!
mary says
You get what you pay for! In discussion of undies – cheap elastic and flimsy cotton do not make for a pleasant day. And make sure they are 100% cotton especially working up a sweat working outside in your garden. I buy a brand name of undies when on sale and only when using coupons. They wash up great, last FOREVER and are comfortable. And 100% cotton helps prevent infections – if you get my drift. Cheap is NOT always the best.
Carole says
Love the pink streak! Your Mom rocks!!
Ellen says
Love your Mom’s hair! I was thinking also of something like that and wondering if it would be “appropriate”. Now I’m inspired! 🙂
Sea says
Happy birthday, Mavis! That TJ’s mandarin orange chicken is our new favorite! It’s so good and tastes just like it came from a Chinese restaurant (I’m not going to call it “authentic chinese” because I’m pretty sure this is a very “American” dish)! And at $4.99, way cheaper than takeout. Delish!
Laura T. says
We love going to Maggiano’s too. We usually get the BOGO meals. I can get at least two meals from what I order there & then a couple more from the take home meal!
Kimmy says
Your mom is so stinking adorable. Love the streak in her hair.
Jennifer Meyer says
Happy Birthday Mavis!!!
Janet in Woodway says
Happy Birthday to you!!
Richelle Krienke says
I second the YES on your mom’s hair. Happy birthday!
Helen in Meridian says
Happy Birthday Mavis. Mine is tomorrow the 6th.
Nancy D says
Happy Birthday to my favorite blogger!!
Paula says
Happy Birthday Mavis and her mom! We have so many March birthdays in our family. (including extened family) We have 10. We have a March Madness Birthday Party. This year it will be on the 31st. My husband joked that if we add any more, we will just have to start putting their initials on the cake. Love the pink streak in your mom’s hair. Tell her to get some “fairy hair” next. We have it here in the North Carolina mountains. They tie what looks like colored tinsel onto the hair strands. It is super cool.
Cindy Brick says
Mavis, do you need a proofreader/editor? I’m seeing a lot of spelling mistakes and odd grammar lately. I’m fast, accurate and reasonably priced, with a lot of experience.
E-mail if you’re interested. As always, love your blog and read it regularly.